Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-08-11

lhougn haruly taxing tnis optimis-
tic view of matters, Megilp acted on
his wifes advice, and forthwith paid
visit to Mr.. Zerubbabels shop.
When he had preferred his request
the bric-a-brac seller smiled and shook
his head.
"Micah Zerubbabel wasn't born yes
terday," he said with a cunning look
in his twinkling black eyes. "Your
picture mayn't be worth five pound
note"
ats worth at least ESQ.," broke in
the artist, redenning. "Carper said
So"
who's Carper? But even if the
picture were worth $500" grinned Mr..
Zerubbabel. at wouldn't pay me to
buy it at such price. But why do
you want to quash the bill of saleP"
II want to be rid of the business, 1t
doesn't suit me to have thing of this
sort hanging over me-in fact it is
against me in my profession"
Better find the f200 then replied
the money-lender, insolently; but per-
sonally l am not fond of buying pigs
in pens, or pictures by unknown
artists, though perhaps other people
may be. 1t is, however, for you to find
them, not for me- Good morning, my
dear sir. Sorry can't oblige you"
"Horrid old scamp" muttered
Megilp, as he left Zerubbabels shop and
turned his face westward
"Not to be caught by chaff, my fine
shentleman" commented the amiable
bric-a-brac dealer, turning back into
his dingy abode. "You don't get off
your bargain so easily as that" Then
he proceeded to unlock fireproof safe
in the corner of his sanctum, and
gloated greedily over the documents
reposing therein, documents which
represented some remarkably hard
bargains driven by Mr.. Zerubbabel
with his lawful prey, men in Difficult
ties. He was interrupted in this pleas
ant recreation, one in which he usually
spent any spare moments he could
snatch from business, by the entrance
of friend and compatriot, one Abiram
Levi, picture-dealer by profession.
After an exchange of amicable greet
ings the two gentlemen spent half an
hour or so in confidential ccnversa-
ton on the state of their respective
trades; then as a pleasant deSguUre-
me,h after this head work, they i'm
bibed several glasses of brandy and
water and smoked as many high-fa.
vored cigars.
Perhaps Mr.. Levi consumed more
than his fair share of these luxuries, for
in a moment OF expansion he began to
talk over his business projects for the
coming season.
ave got a capital thing in view.
don't mind telling you about it, Ter
ubbabel, my dear boy, for you're not
in the same swim. so it doesn't matter.
Have you heard of young Megilp's
academy pictureP'
Zerubbabel shook his head, but
leaned forward eagerly, with his cum
ming eyes fixed upon Mr.. Lewis flushed
countenance.
"Splendid thing-safe to make &
sensation. l mean to get hold of il
cheap, if can; and as he's only {
young fellow, and apparently hard up
the chances are shall.
think the picture really worth hav
ingp" said Zerubbabel, with depre
catory shrug.
mot doubt about it. You see it,
an attractive subject, and one that il
sure to take the public. They dom
like your grand historic pictures
They prefer some thing pretty anC
pastoral, and that sort of thing. Be
you what you like that Megilp's pic
turc'll be hung on the line. At al
events, I'm going round to his studio
in few days to make him an Offer
for it."
Mr.. Zerubbabel smiled, and rubbed
his hands complacently. He had learned
some thing that might be useful t.
him.
He didn't get rid of Mr.. Levi unit
late in the afternoon, consequently i
was nearly seven o'clock before h,
emerged from his shop and stopped
passing bus.
In less than half an hour the bric-a
brac dealer was set down close to tn,
Megilp's door. The servant who an
swered the bell told him that Mr.
Mogilp was dining out that even
ing, and asked il he would see he
mistress.
Thinking lady would be an easie
customer to deal with, Mr.. Zerubbabe
said that he would like to speak t
Mrs. Megilp for few minutes. Ac
cordingly he was ushered into tn
drawing-room, where that lady shortl
joined him.
you have called to see my hus
band-about the.-the bill of SALE" tn
little woman began, in frightene
tone.
well, yes, ma'am, in way Ihavt
but l should like to see the picture h
offered me this morning"
1.-THE Academy picture?" suggeste
Mrs. Megilp, her face Frightening. &
am so sorry; but my husband general
locks up his studio when he goes out
! Can't you call another day and seeit9
"Oh, yes" answered Mr.. Zerubbs
: bel, amiably; ''but as I'm here, l ma
as we'll tell you of the offer am will
ing to make"
Mrs. Megilp's pretty face beanie
with Joy at the idea of arrangin
matters with the money-lender.
would be such delightful surprise fc
Michael Angelo when he came HON
to find that that tiresome business {
> the bill of sale had been brought to
satisfactory conclusion during his al